HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-08-12.. I
MINUTES OF TOWN BOARD MEETING HELD MONDAY, AUGUST 12, 1991, AT 7:30P.M.
Those present: Teresa M. Robinson, Supervisor
Gordon C. VanBenschoten, Councilman
Ellard L. Sovocool, Councilman
Jack Fitzgerald, Attorney
Arrived Late: Donald E. Cummings, Councilman
'Arrived Late: Carl E. Haynes, Councilman
Also present: Leland Cornelius, Elizabeth Brennan, Betty Sperger, Grace
M eddaugh, Abe Congden, George VanSlyke, John Pachai,
Mr. and Mrs. Steve McMahan, Lyle Raymond, Monica Carey,
George Senter and others
Moved by Mr. VanBenschoten, seconded by Mr. Cummings, to approve minutes of
July 8th meeting as mailed. Ayes - Sovocool, Vaa enschoten, Cummings,
Robinson (Absent - Haynes).
Claim Nos. 1.46 to 173 of the Highway Fund in the amount of $42,264.13
Claim Nos. 223 to 255 of the General Fund in the amount of $10,087.41
were presented for audit. Moved by Mr. Sovocool, seconded by Mr. Cummings,
that the bills be approved. for payment. Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten,
Cummings, Haynes, Robinson.
Steve McMahon - Submitted petition with approximately 50 signatures that
read as follows* We, the concerned citizens, taxpayers, residents, and
lessee's of (Old Stage Road) in the Town of Groton, do not want any more
mobile homes placed in our neighborhood including, but not limited to the
proposed mobile home at approximately 1119 Old Stage Road. He also read
a letter from Boyd and Elsie DeMond against placing a Mobile Horne Park
on the Sears property. Mr. McMahon asked< thekB6ard to-..change.- the : zoning
law so that trailer parks are only allowed in an industrial zone so the
people in the rural area don't have to worry about the value of their
property or the quality of the life they have. Secondly, to allow trailers
to be only in trailer parks, to limit the placing of trailers 6r mobile
homes only in trailer parks. Mr. McMahon explained where proposed trailer
park was going on Old Stage Road on property owned by Jim Sears,
Grace Meddaugh - Property owner directly across road from proposed site
of trailer park. Mrs. Meddaugh's main concern was pollution. Several
springs on hill and runoff in spring would bring water across her land
at 1128 and 1130 Old Stage Road on down into Groton City.
Abe Congdon - Doesn't Jim Sears have to come before the Board before he
can do anything?
George_VanSlyke - I'd just like to answer his question since I'm on the
Planning Board. This thing has not come before us at all. The first
word we heard about it was Russ DeMond showed up at our Planning Board
Meeting last month and brought this up. Just to answer his question
here, if the water situation is such that you say it is, to put a trailer
park in he'd not only have to come to get approval from the Planning
Board but he would have to fulfill any obligations that the DEC may have
regarding sewage.
Steve McMahon - Did I make my point about my purpose here tonight as
far as asking the Board to consider changing the zoning laws? I'm fully
aware at this point that I have not heard that there has been application
for the trailer park. What I'm asking is that the zoning board change
laws so that we don't have to go through this every time some one comes
in and wants to start a trailer park.
After some discussion, Town Board agreed to refer request over to Planning
Board for their review and recommendations.
George VanSlykc of the Planning Board was present to again present Planning
Board's recommendation on zoning changes to the Town Board for their
consideration. Let's take Section 31.2 - Becoming aware of the code
enforcement officer's predicument of not being able to view other than
inspect from the roadside to enforce the junk situation, at our last Planning
Board meeting we decided that if as the zoning officer said, he is happy
with the way it's worded then we're happy with the way it's worded also.
So if you like to just delete Section 312 and leave it the way it is on the
books at this point.
Second item - Road Frontage - Again, this goes back to the idea of that
person who wants to buy,ld and not having the 200' Frontage and granting to
build on the section of land where he doesn't have the 200' frontage but
he does have it in a panneoting parcel. Again, the key word there was
principal. And if you remember the principal frontage had to be the one
that the driveway to this, residence should be located on. In other words,
if he has his 2OD' frontage over here, and he wants to build his house over
7 this section that does not have 200' Frontage, we're saying that hip,
access road has to be in the 200' frontage, (Board Members and Attorney
discussed definition of principal frontage. Consensus was that It
should say frontage or principal frontage: 200 contiguous fee'L MinioLum. }
The 200' diameter zs not really being requ2. ed by the planning Board
since they don't really care where the house is put.
The other thing is Flag Lot - At, the last Meeting you asked our- Board
to check on the requirements of our Fine Department a.S far as the access
and the roadway to the lot. I check With Lee Shlartleff who is now the
Chief and I checked with Robert Walpole who was the Chief previously
Five year$ ago. The situation is such that 'there is no requirements on
the books. right now as fax as the Fire Department itself requiring any
minimum width. They said that thEy usuallyF need 10 to 12 feet to get min
emergency vehicle or tanker back into area, if you xecall, we said
that we wanted the access drive to this flag lot to-be 20 feet. As it
turns cut that is five feet more than the state mrarid.ates, Consensus of
Board was to go with 20' access.
Carl Haynes: How frequent are people using this idea of a flag lot.
George VanSlyke: LaPEsirig has it. Dryden has already approved several
of them in their Town - and they have riot had any problems with them at
all with the flag lot situation& We Checked with those two situations,
They have a definition of a. flag lot in their code already. We don't
have the definition in our code now but that's what we're trying to do
now so that rae'11 be able to utilize some properties around the Town
that, due to the-way that things were done beforehand, are unuseable,,
because of the way we've sold off frantages. A couple of years ago
over on McLean Road they wanted to build a house in back of their
property but the thing was landlocked. There was no way we could give
them approval to use this laxid since they didn't have any access to it.
If we can get the definition o a flag lot Ln theme, then it's very very
possible then, that if he can purchase a strap of land that would fit so
he could make a flag lot, then they would be able to use that land and
it wouldn't be landlocked. (Discussed pros and cons of Flag lots
Access to one lot or several lots? Possibly opening up dos abuse or
maybe better off by looking at a variance mechanism to t.11Y to satisfy
those few situations that we do have. Limit access road to one
residence only. We are cuxren'tly deall.ng rei y.th .a real situation which
.john Paahai expladned to the Board.
Consensus of Board is to leave junkyard definition as is and have Attorney
Fitzgerald rework wordage of road frontage and flag lot for the Planning
Board Meeting an Thursday, August 15, Assuming the Planning Board
appzoves wordage, the Town Board will bold Meaning on same at next month's
meeting,
-RE OLUTIO1j N0, 29 SCHEDULE "PUBLIC HWING TO AMEND LAND USE
AND DEVELOPMENT CODE
Moved by Mr. VanBenschaten, seconded by Mr. CUmmings
Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cummings, Hynes, Robinson
RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Groton aloes hereby
schedule a public hearing on September 9, 1991, at %:COpM, to
amend the Land Use and Development Code as follows: 1) Amend
Dimension Regulations aryd 2) 'Add Flag Lotd,
Supervisor Robinson, reported that Divexified Technologies, Inc. is ready
tc finalize purchase on 'iday, August 16, and we need authorization to
have HUD aheoks signed, We currently have a check for $1,531.2 to
reimburse Town and a check for $2, -519, 28 for consultant Fees.
RESOLUTION [PTO. 30 - AUTHORIZATION TO SIGN HUD CHECKS
Gloved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mot. Sovocool
Ayes - Sovocool, VanEenschoten, Oujnmings, Haynes, Robinson
RF,SO+LVED, that the Toein Board of the Town of Groton does hereby
authorize the Supervisor' and Deputy Supervisor to sign IUD checks
for Diversified Technologies, Inc. project.
Attorney Fitzgerald reported that there is going to be a pre'bria.1 discovery
hearing on the Hedlund case. That will be a hearing where it will be
decided what they are going to wart in the way of diacovery or what other
information where going to get. It is progressing normally.
Discuss
status
of
highway garage - George
Spnter
said Gary Mood hasn't said
anything
discuss personnel.
about
by
it,
Haynes
Mr.
Senter
will check
with Mr.
Wood.
Supervisor' Ro ' nson asked Board for approval of appointment of
Bookkeeper.
Since it was brought up at a previous meeting, no's an official irleeting, the
Supervisor' requested that appointment be-made retroactive at the rate of
$8.00 per hour plus farfily health insurance,
RESOLUTION NO. 31 - APPOINT LIZ BRENVER AS BOOKKEEPER
Moved. by [fir. VanBenschoten (There was no second to this notion)
Supervisor Rozneon
made the
motion
to go
into
executive session to
discuss personnel.
Seconded
by
Mr.
Haynes
at qF20P111
Board meeting reconvened at 10& bpM.
RESOLUTION NO, 32 - APPOINT LIZ BRENNER AS BONKE'EPER
Moved by Mr. VanBenschaten, seconded by Mr. Sovocool
Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Ctmjoings, Xa�gnes, Robinson
RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Groton does hereby
appoint Liz Brenner as Bookkeeppex at the rate of $8.00 per hour
and to xncJ.ude family health insurance.
RESOLUTION ISO. 33 - -APPOIKrB�ENT OF CODE EN RCEMENT OFFICER
Moved by Mr. Sovocool, seconded by Mr. Cummings
4 Ayes - Sovocool, VarnBenschoten, Cummings, Haynes, Robinson
I R SOZ,VEI)p that the Town ,Board of the 'pawn of Groton does hereby
appoint George Sentear as Code Enforcement Officer effective
September 1, 1991, at the present salary rate.
Moved by Mx. Haynes, seconded by Mr. Vaaenschoten, to authorize -Robert
Walpole to attend the NYS Magistrates Association School on October �9
at Nebille;
Leland Cornelius, Highway Superintendent, reported that he has completed
CHIPS work. This included Sovocool �ii11 road, Elie Street Ext., incerbeaux
Road. Bz' must be submitted for reimbursement for CHIPS money.
Mr. Cornelius also would like to trade in the 1982 Autocar for a 1992
10�wheeler. Money should be in this years budget.
Moved by [fir. VanBenschoten, seconded by My. Sovocool., to authorize
Highway Suy &rintendent to let bids fax` a 1992 10- wheelex with the
1982 Autoaar as trade in. Ayes, Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cumrdngs,
Kaynas, Robinson.
RESOLUTION N0. - AUTHORIZZ BUXET TRANSFERS
Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. CurfLming
Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cummings, Haynes, Robinson
RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby authorize
or 1991 budget, modifications as follows:
FROM 1340.4 TO 1Y40.2 ($400.0U
From iq 0.4 To 1920.4 $25, oo
Flom 1440.4 To 144,4 $1000.00
trap of exs
- Printer)
GSA Dyes)
ConEuUlting Atty,
K
0
Chuck Rankin reported that the reason that the bookkeeping got so fax
behind is because of the payroll system. Mfr. Rankin thought we ought
to start looking at and getting some quotes on inhouse software so
that payroll could be done in house now that we're going to have a
person here who is a fairly steady bookkeeper. This ADP thing is not
anybodys. fault but just a set of circumstances that just knda went
all to hell in a hurry. Mr. Haynes asked if we shouldn't finish out the
year. Mr. Rankin said that at a very minimum finish out this quarter.
Board and Chuck discussed different software packages available
Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr. VanBenschoten, to authorize
Chuck Rankin to investigate payroll software and come back to board
with recommendations. Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cummings,
Haynes, Robinson.
Board discussed roof repairs to highway garage and replacement of
overhead doors. It was not know what projects would cost nor if we
had enough funds to cover projects.
There being no further business, Mir. Sovocool moved to adjourn meeting,
seconded by Mr. VanBenschoten, at 10:45PM. Unanimous.
Colleen D. Pierson
Town Clerk
MINUTES OF TOWN BOARD MEETING HELD MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1991 AT 7:30P.M
Those present: Teresa
Ellard
Gordon
Donald
Carl E.
Jack Fi
M. Robinson, Supervisor
L. Sovocool, Councilman
C. VanBenschoten, Councilman
E. Cummings, Councilman
Haynes, Councilman
tzgerald, Attorney
Also present: Leland Cornelius, George Senter, Betty Sperger, DeForest Hall,
Cindy Bale, Elmer McNeal, William Casolara, Monica Carey,
George VanSlyke, William and Harriet Tenney, Carl Scheffler,
Cecil Twigg, Verl Rankin, John Pachai
(A public hearing was held at 7000PM on a proposed amendment to the
Land Use and Development Code relative to dimension regulations as it
appears in Sections 352.1, 353.1, 354.1 and 355.1 and add Section 114.04 -
Flag Lot and Section 356 - Flag Lot. Minutes of public hearing are
filed in public hearing minute file.)
Moved by Mr. Haynes, seconded by Mr.
August 12th meeting as mailed. Ayes
Haynes, Robinson.
Cummings, to approve the minutes of
Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cummings,
Claim Nos. 174 to 194 of the Highway Fund in the amount of $31,715.44 and
Claim Nos. 255.to 294 of the General Fund in the amount of $6,083.75 were
presented for audit. Moved 'by Mr. Sovocool, seconded by Mr. Cummings, that
the bills be approved for payment. Ayes - Sovocool, VanBenschoten, Cummings,
Haynes, Robinson.
Monthly reports from Town Clerk, Town Justice Heffron and Bookkeeper's
report from Jan. 1 thru June 30 "were presented.
Supervisor indicated we needed to set up a Community Development Savings
Account Fund since payments and interest will be starting to come in
from grant monies distributed to Diversified T.E.S.T. Technologies, Inc.
on Route 222. Total amount of grant was $135,000. At the present time,
left over from that amount, was $1,000 encumbered to pay off Thoma and
we have $1,918.27 left. Atty. Fitzgerald's fees were taken care of by the
borrower.